Makeup and Beauty Blog Monday Poll, Vol. 230

You might be wondering, “So what the heck is this Monday Poll thing anyway?”
Well, it isn’t much of a poll. It’s more just a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past four years. I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.

Mood:
Chill and very happy. El Hub and I spent a super low-key and relaxing two days at his parent’s house in a town way up near the Oregon border called Redding last weekend. Basically, lots of hanging out and eating. It was glorious! I even napped a couple of times.

Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
The ocean! — preferably warm, turquoise ones like the Pacific around Hawaii.

What’s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
OOH! Here’s one that’s helped me a ton! To make sure your brows are filled in evenly, tilt your head slightly upward when you look straight into your mirror. For some reason, that slight change in perspective makes it much easier to see when one brow is shorter or longer than the other, or when your angles are just not quite even.

What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
1) Quoting lines from the movie Stepbrothers (“This is a house of learn-ed doctors!” LOL!), 2) when someone holds the door open for me, and 3) fresh freesia flowers.

Regular or decaf?
Regular, or half-caf when I’m feeling edgy.

Have you ever played beach volleyball?Oh, hell naw! That’s like my nightmare sport. I have problems with projectile activities… Whenever I see a ball coming toward me I run away! Plus, there’s the whole problem with jumping around in the sand, which gets all up in my business.

Sure is fun to watch, though.

When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Usually mid-morning right after my run.

What’s one makeup or beauty product you’ve really wanted to try but haven’t quite gotten around to yet?
Even though I need another bronzer like I need to hear that Maroon 5 song about the payphones again (why is it ALWAYS on the radio?!), I’m dying to try Chanel’s Soleil de Tan (LOL! I just accidentally typed “Soleil de Tabs.”).

I’m on a mission to find a magic cream bronzer! Will this be the one? Hmm…

What’s a book you loved as a child?Harriet the Spy. I read it so many times that my copy literally fell apart at the seams!

Weekly goals:
To get a new pool key from the housing association (still can’t find my old one), to try a couple of new foundations, and to focus on doing just one task at a time (no multitasking!).

Hey, cutie patootie. Before you let your fingers do the talking on today’s Monday Poll, will you do me a quick favor first? Please give me a big smile. Like my mom always says, “Smile and the whole world smiles with you.” 🙂

To complete the Monday Poll, just copy the following list, and paste it with your answers in the comments.

1. Mood:
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
3. What’s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
5. Regular or decaf?
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
8. What’s one makeup or beauty product you’ve really wanted to try but haven’t quite gotten around to yet?
9. What’s a book you loved as a child?
10. Weekly goals:

Have a great week, okay? I hope it’s filled with extra laughter and lots of love.

Reader Interactions

Comments

1. Mood: is stressed a mood. heh..?!
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? When it’s hot anything would do. I LOVE water in general, could spend hours swimming and splashing 🙂
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Use eye liner brush to conceal small blemishes. It’s so simple yet genius.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? a good sleep, quality Skype date with my brother (he is in the Sates now), little kittens 🙂
5. Regular or decaf? None.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? Not really, I am not good at it, I have tried.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? For some reason, it’s often in the night before I have to go to bed.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? Hmm, good question. I ant to find a good quality dry shampoo I guess.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? Astrid Lindgren books.
10. Weekly goals: find at least some time to read every day and continue working out.Marina recently posted … Eyes Of The Day: Red Eye Liner with Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel in 79

1. Mood: Relaxed, I love Summer Vacation! Oh, my parents were in Redding last week, they walked across that Sundial Bridge, beautiful!

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans, both of my Grandmas have homes in the central coast areas, so that’s a common vacation place for us. The ocean isn’t warm, but it’s great, and the sound is perfect!

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Eyeshadow primer! How did I live without it for so long?

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Cute babies, Mocha Coconut Frappuccinos from Starbucks, and the “humor” board on Pintrest.

5. Regular or decaf? Regular! I’ve only been drinking coffee for a year, and I love that caffeine! But only in the morning.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? Nope, didn’t grow up near a beach. But I love to watch it!

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Around 9am, after the workout.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? The Clarisonic Brush. I keep thinking about getting it, but then I worry that it will dry out my face and there are so many to choose from. One of these days I’ll just break down and do it.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? My Great-Aunt bought me a book called, “The Thingamajigs Big Book of Manners.” I had that thing memorized. I tried and tried to get a new copy but I never found it. My husband bought me a copy several years ago, I still love it!

10. Weekly goals: Fire up the Zumba DVD’s and do them, put the laundry away, start waking up at six because the kids’ school starts in three weeks and I have to be able to function in the mornings!

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
Oceans. Anything with warm water and a sandy beach would be a dream destination. I also like lakes b/c it’s fun to go boating or jet skiing.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
The guidelines for how to shape brows. My brows are an unruly mess without proper grooming and knowing how to shape them properly has been helpful.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
1) Seeing my kitties do cute/sweet things. 2)Seeing a tray of cupcakes I’ve just finshed baking and frosting – and then “taste testing” one. 🙂 3)Seeing a box on my porch from something I’ve ordered online. I’ve got a DSW order on it’s way this week. Yay!

5. Regular or decaf?
I don’t drink coffee too often, but I go for regular when I do. Mostly it’s a little coffee with lots of cream and sugar. 🙂

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Heck no! I am not athletic at all. My hand-eye coordination seems to be non-existent!

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Usually in the morning between 8-10 AM.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
Liquid or gel eyeliner. I got the bent eyeliner brush from Sonia Kashuk and now I’ve been trying to find that new L’Oreal gel liner you reviewed. I’m looking forward to trying a new look!

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
Oh, there were so many. It’s hard to narrow down just one book. I loved the mystery/thriller’s from Lois Duncan. I also read the Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and Babysitter’s Club series. Oh and also Christopher Pike.

10. Weekly goals:
I’ve got some fresh peaches from the farmer’s market so I need to make some cobbler before they go bad. I’ve also got zucchini and I found a recipe for chocolate zucchini cake I want to try. Then try to find people to eat all this stuff so it doesn’t go straight to my hips. 🙂

1. Mood: Tired, but hopeful. Lots of things to do!
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans! For swimming in, at least. It’s nice to walk around lakes and rivers, though!
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Gack, I can’t think of any right now…
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Our dog, photos of otters, and gummi bears!
5. Regular or decaf? Usually regular, unless it’s nighttime. Then decaf, or I’ll never get to sleep!
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? No thanks.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Actually, in the morning, up until lunchtime!
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? NARS Tinted Moisturizer.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? The Phantom Tollbooth. Still love it!
10. Weekly goals: get our wedding invitations printed!Larie recently posted … From A Single Palette: Four Eye Looks

1. Mood: sleepy. late night, early morning. but i left work early today so it’s naptime!
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? oceans. i grew up in Miami and i love to walk in the ocean. i just don’t like the sun. lol
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? always take your makeup off before bed. no matter how sleepy you are, you won’t regret it
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? my weiner dog Mindy, Friends episodes and watching my son dance
5. Regular or decaf? regular. always
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? yes
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? 10am to 2pm
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I want a Clarisonic but i just can’t justify the expense
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? “Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret.” I think I still have it memorized. Loved all the Judy Blumes, but that was my fave
10. Weekly goals: this is week two of 6 day work weeks. I just want to make it to Saturday afternoon!!

1. Mood:
Anxious — job hunting sucks.
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
Oceans! At the beach I’m a regular mermaid.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
Filling in brows. I have thick, dark hair so I never thought I needed to, but filling in the sparse parts makes such a huge difference.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
My bunny rabbit, swimming in the ocean (see #2), the movie Anchorman
5. Regular or decaf?
Regular!
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Nope.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Midday
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
Cult Nails polish — their colors look amazing.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
Anything by Roald Dahl — The Witches and Matilda were my favorites.
10. Weekly goals:
Apply to jobs, apply to jobs, apply to jobs.

1. Mood: Crazed! I have my thesis defense on Wednesday, and I move out of my apartment (and halfway across the country) on Friday.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Using my ring finger to help pat in concealer under my eyes.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? The antics of my brother’s cat (and Tabs!), a black tea lemonade from Starbucks, and getting a fun package or letter in the mail.

5. Regular or decaf? I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but when I do drink it, it is always regular.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? It’s a world of no.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? I’ve become quite a night owl. I’m usually most productive between 7:00 and midnight.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? There are so many, but off the top of my head the Beauty Blender (Birchbox featured them several months ago, but I didn’t receive one) and the Clarisonic.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? I have a ton of books I loved as a kid. The Ramona books, the Nancy Drew series, and the Little House series all come to mind.

I LOVE Chanelâ€™s Soleil de Tan. I used it for a long time and whether alone or mixed into my foundation it looked really great.

1. Mood:
I had a great relaxing weekend but I’m about to make a phone cal to follow up on a job interview so I’m nervous!

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
For years I would have said oceans but since moving to Colorado and taking up fly fishing I’ve become a big fan of rivers.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
If your pencil eyeliner is going on smoothly, get a drop of water on your fingertip and wet the eyeliner tip. It’ll really help it go on nicely.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
My poodle puppies, Stephanie Plum novels (“One for the Money, etc.) and my personal favorite movie for quotes, Robin Hood Men in Tights.

5. Regular or decaf?
Neither. I’m a fan of Crystal Light with caffeine.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Only when I was little.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Right before dinner.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
Latisse.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
I was a big nerd and read a lot of the Star Wars books that were approved by George Lucas but not written by him. I also loved all the Black Stallion books and the Saddle Club. I was really into horseback riding when I was young.

10. Weekly goals:
Find out if I need to keep looking for a job, go to the gym, get all the laundry done.Leah @ Mile High Beauty Blog recently posted … 20% Off at TimetoSpa.com

1. Mood: I feel fine. I’ve been sleeping irregularly, but I caught up on sleep last night. Now there’s work to do!2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? I prefer oceans. There’s nothing like standing at the beach, taking in the endless sky and water.3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? I agree with the comment above on brow-shaping guidelines. It took me years to understand my real brow shape, and I’m still growing them out.4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Babies; great food; lovely weather.5. Regular or decaf? Neither! I don’t drink coffee.6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? No, I haven’t. I’ve never liked watching it either.7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? I used to be a night owl, but now it’s harder for me to maintain productivity in the evening/during the night. I’m even more useless in the late afternoon. My energy is best in the late morning.8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I have Sonia Kashuk’s Flat Top brush, but I’ve been wanting to try brushes similar to the infamous Sigma F80 or Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I finally got Real Techniques’ Stippling Brush (similar to MAC 130) and the Expert Face Brush. I haven’t gotten around to using either yet because I’ve been makeup-free at home.9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? First one that comes to mind is My Father’s Dragon. It’s a classic.10. Weekly goals: Just…get work done. LOL! Um, applications, blogging, bureaucratic forms and such. Actually, I should hit our neighborhood pool sometime this week, too. Haven’t had the chance all summer!

1. Mood: Quite good, I had a good start with my new project today and will watch the musical Westside Story with my mum next Saturday.
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? All of them, but a cool ocean would be great.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? You are never fully dressed without a smile, not really a makeup tip, but a smile can even cover undereye circles.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Photos and videos of my niece, fresh flowers, smell of coffee in the morning.
5. Regular or decaf? Regular, extra strong and lots of it.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? I tried, but I even can’t play ‘normal’ volleyball.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Midmorning, when the coffein kicks in.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? Liquid eyeliner and false lashes.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? I read a lot, but I didn’t have a favourite one.
10. Weekly goals: Stay calm and focused and eat more salad and vegetables.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
Lake Tahoe is pretty awesome; But oh the Hawaiian shore! Right now the swimming pool built into Chico Creek is THE swimming destination.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
Heard here on mbb: your eyebrows are sisters, not twins.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
Zooborns.com , success with baking, my husband being snuggly.

5. Regular or decaf?
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
I have but I have poor perifieral vision in the 12 o clock position due to a birth defect, so I’m pretty useless at volleyball in particular.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
This time of year I have the most metal energy later when it’s cool. Heat really saps me.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
I want to start owning the no mascara look, because that shit irritates my eyes.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
I read so much as a child. It was my thing. I never really latched on to one book but I would reread things. Like James Herriot’s All Creatures Great And Small.

10. Weekly goals:
Finish the latest sewing project, start working on the metal fabrication order we got at work, cook the 10 pounds of plums in the fridge, do more yoga.

1. Mood: Chillaxed.. After a great wknd at the lakehouse, even with a few minors creating havoc, and lack of sleep, today I am just, chilled..
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? I great up living on the Atlantic Ocean, its keeps me grounded. Although I do enjoy the warm ocean that surrounds Jamaica.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Curl your eyelashes – it really opens up your eyes and makes your eyemakeup look complete.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? 1. Coffee 2. Cotton Candy & 3. Sean Paul’s ‘She doesn’t MInd’ blaring on the stereo as I cruise down the highway, windows open, headed to the lakehouse…
5. Regular or decaf? Regular – twice a day.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? No… I need a floor surface below me to be even semi decent at VBall.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Night time.. I’m a night owl.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?Nail Stamping kits.. but its hard to find in stores so I may have to turn to ordering on line.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? ‘the little people’.. about little people living in the walls of your house, the insides of trees, inside caves…
10. Weekly goals: BodyRock 3x, clean house top to bottom & finish at least 1 book & 1 anklet. 🙂

1. Mood:
~Relaxed and happy, went out on the boat early this morning and went fishing with the fiance!

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
~All three, I’m a total water baby. For kayaking, I like whitewater – the more challenging the better, but not too challenging until I can save up for a whitewater kayak (my kayak is a recreational one and can only go up to Class III rapids…).

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
~Blend, blend, blend! It makes my eye makeup look prettier and I don’t have weird lines on my face from not blending foundation (it used to be kinda obvious that I wore foundation until I discovered blending using various tools).

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
~(1) being out on the water or being near happily bubbling rapids, (2) when the fiance surprises me with something he knows I really like, (3) watching other people have fun and be happy.

5. Regular or decaf?
~Regular…my shifts used to vary in hours and in August I am picking up a few night shifts…so I need all the caffeine I can get!

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
~Yes, I’m not very good but it’s fun.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
~After a run and a good breakfast full of protein. Since I’m running almost every day, more of my days are filled with energy! Sometimes the runs I’m the most unmotivated to go on (like Sunday’s run) end up being my best and most fun runs.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
~Well, once Walmart stocks it, I can’t wait to buy L’Oreal Infallible Long Wear shadow in Endless Sea. I am really loving the other Infallible shadows.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
~Black Beauty…I’ve read every variation made, and seen just about every movie made about the book.

10. Weekly goals:
~Clean the house.
~Sign up for/attend any work education.
~Run/workout as many days as I can.

1. Mood: Tired, not wanting to clean out my closet and bedroom, which I REALLY should be doing.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?: None! I will only swim in a pool. I work at an indoor pool, and my older sister’s been a lifeguard for years, so I know of all of the dangers that come with swimming in an open body of water.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?: How to properly apply eye shadow, and what a good eye shadow is. For a lid color, this means applying from lashlines to the crease, and all of the lashline should be covered. It should not have bare patches! It doesn’t matter if you’re applying with a brush or fingertips, but these rules should be followed. Always use a primer, too! Also, the eyeshadow shouldn’t be chalky — even if it’s a sheer shade, it should at least have some decent pigmentation to it.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?: 1) My two dogs, 2) Spending a lazy day watching marathons of my favorite TV shows, 3) Either eating one of my favorite foods for dinner, or making dinner for my family and it turns out really well.

5. Regular or decaf?: Neither, since I don’t drink any sort of coffee or tea. When it comes to pop, I really don’t care, since caffeine doesn’t affect me.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?: I’ve tried and failed indoor volleyball during P.E., so beach volleyball really isn’t for me. I’d rather swim instead.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?: The middle of the day, unless I’ve been super busy.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?: I’m still looking for a decent drugstore liquid eyeliner pen. I want to practice with one of those before I buy one from Sephora. I’m thinking of buying one from Milani, but my local CVS doesn’t carry the product, while my local Walgreens doesn’t even carry the brand.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?: “Shiloh” by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, because it has a beagle in there, which is what my two dogs are. In 7th grade, I read and fell in love with “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, which is my absolute favorite book. I’ve read it so many times, and I also own the movie.

10. Weekly goals: Clean out my closet and bedroom. This time I mean it!

1. Mood: Okay. My friend is helping me print out some fliers for jobs, and I hit up Rite Aid to take advantage of the 40% off sale.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?: Rivers, with oceans a close second. Rivers always make me think of Native Americans. I wanted to live with them when I was a kid. I still want to live with them…

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?: Apply a moisturizer/sunblock/primer to your face before using foundation or concealer. It really helps to glide on foundation/concealer and keeps you from tugging on your skin.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?: Memes about cats, cute blonde guys, thinking about all the support I received at MakeupAlley when I left my abusive boyfriend. A complete stranger even told me she was proud of me, because most women would stay.

5. Regular or decaf?: Regular.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?: Nope. The “girls” get too bouncy.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?: The mid morning.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?: Rouge Bunny Rouge makeup. It’s a touch too pricey for me, and I don’t have an artist discount for that company.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?: So many! But I just ordered a copy of “The Lost Half Hour”, a collection of stories. I also loved “The Orphan Boy” and “The Little Match Girl”.

10. Weekly goals: Job hunting, runway show on Saturday (doing the makeup!) and baking a red velvet cake for a friend.

1. Mood:
Grumpy-need to sleep
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
Ocean. I live on the south coast of South Africa we got the warm Indian ocean.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you
Contouring is your friend
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
Lying in bed with my husband & little one, when a smaller size anything fits and seeing people that I care about succeed.
5. Regular or decaf?
Regular
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Beach volleyball nah. Normal volleyball yes
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Usually fully awake come mid-day
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
Lipstick. It just doesn’t look right on me.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
Bearnstein bears
10. Weekly goals
Get to bed by 9pm every night , eat a salad everyday, send off all work related documents by Wednesday, come up with catchy company name.

1. Mood: a little irritated but otherwise okay
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans! I’m a California-girl, born and raised
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? dampening a sponge or brush prior to foundation application
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? My dog, good food, and getting new makeup
5. Regular or decaf? regular
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? actually no…
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? in the evening
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I’m with you on cream bronzer–I’ve been VERY curious lately
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? The whole Goosebumps series 😛
10. Weekly goals: again, get caught up on posts and picsBecca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: NEW Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains Review & Swatches

1. Mood: I’m SO tired! I stayed up late last night trying to catch up on my favorite TV shows from the week, and I’m paying for it this morning. I’ll be paying for it all day, actually, as I work a double :/

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans 🙂 I’m a Hawai’i girl, what can I say?!

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Start with a light application of color, and build if you need more. It’s saved me from looking like a clown and having to redo my face, on MANY occasions!

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Hawaiian food, finding someone who’s read my favorite book, and being greeted by my dogs when I show up at my mom’s house 🙂

5. Regular or decaf? I’m not a coffee gal. At all.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? Nope! But I can’t wait to watch it. The Olympics are only days away!

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Late at night, unfortunately. I wish my work schedule revolved around my body clock, lol!

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I’ve been hearing about the Dior Creme de Rose lip balm left and right lately! I really wanna give it a try, but for now I just can’t justify $30 for a friggen pot of lip balm! I’ve also been lusting over everything Tom Ford!

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? I loved all things Shel Silverstein, and the Nancy Drew series!

10. Weekly goals: Laundry, finish purging my closet, muster up the courage to tell my day job that I picked up a second job part-time… It’s completely unrelated and doesn’t affect my job/schedule, so I don’t know why I’m so nervous about it!

1. Mood: Pretty good! Zack is taking me shopping for a late birthday present (Sephora here we come…) and my cold is almost gone!

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Rivers! there was a really nice dam in my hometown to swim at.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? There was a really good guide on BellaSugar on how to fill in brows, and it has made a world of difference for me.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Cute animals, happy babies, and my fiance 🙂

5. Regular or decaf? I hate coffee (I am the only grad school student in the world who does not run on caffeine). I drink decaf green tea because my resting heart rate is too high, I’m not supposed to have caffeine.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Late afternoon! That’s when I’m most likely to be able to write papers and be productive.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? False eyelashes! They scare me, but I’d love to try them for special occasions. Also, the brand new Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer in a compact. They had it when I went to Sephora last week, but they didn’t have a tester for Porcelain.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? All the Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie, etc) books. I still have all of them, and they are beyond beat up from being read so much!

10. Weekly goals: Pick out what to wear for my photoshoot tomorrow (I’ve been interviewed to appear on my university’s front page for my research and travel, eek!) and how to do my hair, at least 3 cardio workouts, I did pilates yesterday, so I’d like to fit in some yoga too. I also need to take Quincy Bunny to get a mani-pedi and get his fur brushed out (he is shedding so much! I could make a sweater out of his fur!)

Mehh.. Haha, just lazying around with a lot of stuff to do on my mind, but unable to complete them at the moment until I get the get-go. Mehh..

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?

Lakes, where I can … laze around. Maybe, even swim in it. I am not good enough of a swimmer to be able to swim in a vast ocean!

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?

I am really a newbie… so.. there’re a tonnes of tips I have been picking up in my quest for learning how to apply some basic makeup, so it’s difficult for me to choose that one that is really helpful. If I were forced.. then it would be “not too much of anything.” Haha.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? Tintin ( Tim in english ? I don’t know )

10. Weekly goals: Decide whether I take my cat to the vet, she has some kind of a small lump and it needs surgery to remove it and I am scared. Local injection would be better as she is old now, what if she doesn’t awake, though the risk is close to 0.
Have a walk in the woods, and planning what to spend on makeup for Fall ! All collections are pretty, I chose Chanel, Nars, M.A.C, LancÃ´me, Guerlain, Orly that’s too much !

1. Mood:
Industrious, which for a Monday evening is saying something! Since getting in from work 3hrs ago I’ve packed my gym kit and made my lunch for tomorrow, roasted a leg of pork and made beans two ways for dinner, fed the cat and aired the house out after a humid London day (summer hits at last!).

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
Oceans probably win it by a nose; there’s something about being by the sea that makes me instantly uncoil. I forsee living by the sea in my future for sure.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
To just lightly apply pressed powder on my t-zone once I’ve done everything else to my face (I think the lovely Lisa Eldridge can take credit for that). It pats down any shine but doesn’t leave me cakey, and means my powder lasts longer too. Hurrah! Also, in product terms: eyedshadow primer – godsend for my oily lids!

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
1: Trying/buying beautiful new make up (of course!), 2: cuddling with my love, 3: cuddling with my cat (sometimes I get 2 and 3 at once which makes me smile even more :D).

5. Regular or decaf?
Regular, every time. Caffeine doesn’t have much effect on me so I need it as strong as possible please!

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Ha! No dear, I live in England, our climate isn’t exactly suited to sports like that.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
Depends on how much sleep I’ve had but it’s probably around the mid-morning/lunch time. More so if I’ve managed to hit the gym before work (although that could just be hysteria from the early start).

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
I would love to try a NARS velvet lip pencil/stick – got my eye on Buenos Aires.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?
The Demon Headmaster was AWESOME.

10. Weekly goals:
Get through the 30+ emails flagged for action in my inbox; exercise at least 3 times; eat well and enjoy catching up with my friend Becca on Wednesday evening (that’s an easy one…:))

mmm bubble tea! I think the last time I had some was when we went & had pho.

1. Mood: Sleepy. I stayed up really late reading a book.
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Ocean… love the sound of the waves.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Groom your brows. Makes a world of difference.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? 1) When I hear Say My Name by Destiny’s Child. It’s an inside joke between my sister and I. 2) Seeing pictures of my nieces and nephews. 3)Seeing a good number on the scale.
5. Regular or decaf? Regular and at times give me an extra shot.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? Yes and that shiz is HARD. I like volleyball a lot but the sand adds another level of intensity to it.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Hoo hoo.. I am a night owl
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? BB creams.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? I really can’t remember any book that I liked.
10. Weekly goals: Stay positive and stay strong. Get my workouts in as well.marisol recently posted … Weekly Weigh In

1. Mood: So and so.
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans for sure. I live in an island in an island in the middle of one.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Still learning a lot.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? My friends, my cat and ice cream.
5. Regular or decaf? None. Try not to drink coffee.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? For fun, yes.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? I guess in mid-afternoon.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I really want to try some nailpolish from chanel but it’s to pricy for me.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? to many to count.
10. Weekly goals: take one day as it comes.

1. Mood: Meh….I’m a little miffed. I went to a play alone this weekend because H and D didn’t want to go with me. I didn’t enjoy being the only person there alone : (. I’ve got another one to go to this coming weekend.
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Look down into a mirror while applying liner.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? kittens, babies, people dancing wildly
5. Regular or decaf? regular and lots of it!
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? I have but not lately. lol
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? I have the most energy at night.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I’ve always wanted to try Creme de La Mer
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? “The Steadfast Tin Soldier”….a story not really a book.
10. Weekly goals: Same old stuff….clean ,cook etc.

1. Mood:
Really tired. I should not have stayed up until 6:47 sorting Perler beads (I wtill need to finish!)

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
I’d like to live near an ocean because I love how blue they are, but I have no idea how to handle hurricanes, seismic waves….or earthquakes (which tend to be popular along coastlines.) Oh, and volcanic eruptions. But, I love all three as long as they aren’t all gunky!

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
Putting a little blush on the bridge of your nose as well as the apple of your cheeks really makes things look natural! I naturally flush from ear to ear (seriously, including my nose!), so not including my nose always seemed unnatural!

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
Zena acting like a grand weirdo, photos of baby fuzzy animals (read: bunnies, kitties, PUPPIES) and seeing a package labeled with my name at the door!

1. Mood: Exhausted. It’s only Monday and it feels like the week is gonna be long.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? All of the above.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Taking a angled brush that you can use for creams and liquids, dab a bit of lighter concealer on the brush and hit the places that are high on you face. Good for day since most highlighters have shine.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Seeing my puppy and kitty play together, whenever I get my husband to eat veggies without his knowing (it’s like feeding a five year old sometimes), and watching Tangled.

5. Regular or decaf? Depends on the time. Regular doesn’t tend to bug me but when I’m sick or upset, I gotta have some herbal.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? Does the sand pit that they set up a volley ball net in middle school gym class count? Then yes.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?Mid morning to mid afternoon.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? Anti aging stuff. My eyesight is bad to begin with, even with my glasses, so I squint. A lot. I think after a while I’m gonna have to start looking into it as a prevention before I really start to see them.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?Angelina Ballerina. I actually gave a copy of this to my 2 year old cousin for her birthday this weekend. I hope she’ll love it as I did.

10. Weekly goals: Study, have time for tea with Granma, make it to yoga again.

1. Mood: relaxed.
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? I love the ocean because it’s relaxing to watch as I sit on the beach.
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Curl your lashes before applying mascara. Does wonders for me!
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? a good talk with a friend, seeing my hubby after a long day and a good joke.
5. Regular or decaf? Regular all the way baby! I try to not to drink coffee after 12pm anyway.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? No I’m too lazy lol
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Probably 10-2. Then I get my second wind around 6pm.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? Creme de la mer. I want to know if the hype is really worth it.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? Anything in the Babysitter’s Club series. I swear I think I read them all!
10. Weekly goals: work out, do some stuff for work, relax and just enjoy the last few days of being 31..the birthday countdown has begun!!!

1. Mood: Cautious
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? My family is from Barbados so Oceans all the way!

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?: That concealer should be used to conceal spots, not your entire face!

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?
1. Tom Hiddleston
2. Tom Hiddleston
3. Iâ€™m sorry, did I mention Tom Hiddleston?
5. Regular or decaf? Regular!!! I need the caffeine and I canâ€™t believe that people really coffee for the taste!
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? If Iâ€™m on a beach that would be the furthest thing from my mind.
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? 1PM. I need to be on my lunch at that time to make sure that I put that energy to good use instead of wasting it on work!
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? Coloured Mascara. Iâ€™m allergic to almost every brand out there so I can only look at coloured lashes with longing.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? Salemâ€™s Lot by Stephen King. I thought it was so great when I was 8 years old but I reread it in the last year and itâ€™s just ok.

Oh, cool you were in Redding! I’m an Oregon gal 🙂 I remember going there as a kid and thinking “ooooh I am almost in California!”

1. Mood: Good! I have been working out like crazy and watching calories and I lost two lbs when I weighed in today! After three weeks of a plateau it feels amazing.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans! Mostly to look at though. I am usually too scared to go in. Plus the ocean here is freezing!

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Gently “pressing” powder into my skin with a kabuki brush rather than dusting it on with a large powder brush. This makes a huge difference for my oily skin!

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? My three kitties, my husband, and procatinator…seriously, check it out! Too funny…..http://procatinator.com/

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? No. Believe me, it’s a good thing!!! Me + sports is usually a no-go!

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Usually around 7-8 at night. I am so not a morning person.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I need to find a good dry shampoo! Especially since I have been working out daily and don’t want to ruin my hair color by washing every day.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? All of the Nancy Drew books….anything mystery or scary…I still have those “scary stories to tell in the dark” books by Alvin Schwartz. Creepy, but good!

10. Weekly goals: Continue to work out six days per week! Also start my paperwork for my new job and figure out a start date.

1. Mood: Happy
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Oceans. Rivers usually contain snakes which I don’t like swimming with and I don’t like seaweed in lakes. At least in the ocean I can see what’s in the water with me. 🙂
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Less is more.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? Shopping, coffee, and riding my bike to relax.
5. Regular or decaf? Decaf. I’m so sensitive to caffeine, I can’t drink regular or I just shake all day!
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? I have, but it’s not for me!
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? At night. Of course, when I’m supposed to go to sleep. 😀
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? I’ve always wanted to try Guerlain’s Terracotta Bronzer but it’s so expensive I cringe at spending $50-70 on a bronzer. That money could be a cute pair of shoes!
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? The Little Kitten! My mother still has it, deep in storage somewhere.
10. Weekly goals: Good question. Eat healther, eat less, and exercise more. The same goals I have every week!

1. Mood: so worried. My cat Simon is really sick, and the vet’s not sure why. He’s having trouble breathing and won’t eat, and is resisting the medicine we try to give him. My baby is only 7 🙁

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?: Rivers

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?: How to angle liquid liner. Where it’s like a continuation of you bottom water line up to your eyebrow. Can’t really explain it.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile?: My cat Babar, my friends, and when other people enjoy things I make them. Be it knitting or cooking or anything.

5. Regular or decaf?: Regular.

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?: No.

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?: Around 4pm or so.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?: Those liquid lip glosses that dry matte. I don’t use lipgloss so I’ve always been wary of them but they look so pretty when they’re dry. Guerlain’s new ones out for Fall are gorgeous.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child?: Scrawny the Classroom Duck. My first and favorite chapter book of 2nd grade.

1. Mood: sleepy and a little overwhelmed about some stuff I have to pay soon
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? Lakes…. They are so relaxing and calm
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? Follow where the brow ends to make a winged eyeliner (now I draw the lines more even)
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? My cat Orion, hang around with friends and my family
5. Regular or decaf? Regular : D
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? Nope! I’m scared of hit my head with the ball xD LOL
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? When I go for a walk in the mornings
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? Too Faced Natural at Night palette D:
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? Harry Potter : D
10. Weekly goals: enjoy my week and do some research

1. Mood: It was good, before I wasted 2 hours on the phone with Cox Communications support… and the problem still isn’t fixed, so I’m on hold again…. grrr. Can’t send email and we’re having trouble figuring out what the problem is.

2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers?
I like them all. SInce I’m on the West Coast, I enjoy going to the ocean, but when I lived back East, I loved rivers.

3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you?
Benefit’s SheLaq made wearing eyeliner on my lower lashline possible — before that miracle product, any eye color just became a big dark smudge within an hour. SheLaq has been discontinued, but Tigi Liquid Enhancer is an acceptable substitute.

4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? 🙂
My goldfish, my kitties (Java and Sahara), frozen coconuts

5. Regular or decaf?
definitely hig-test!

6. Have you ever played beach volleyball?
Are you kidding? I always get hit by flying spheroids… i can’t imagine adding sand to an already dangerous equation!

7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day?
early morning (this is a new phenonmenon… i suspect shifting hormones are to blame) i get a second wind around 8pm.

8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet?
a bb cream… but then i would have to give up my anti-oxidant cream, super sunscreen and tinted sunscreen trio i currently use.

9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? the phantom tollbooth!

10. Weekly goals: finish painting for art swap, prepare for 12 hours of b2b gigs on thursday, talk to friends on the phone (made easier since i still can’t send email…), be extra nice to hubby who is having a crazy busy week, too.

1. Mood: Quite good!
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? I think I have to say lakes, only because I grew up on one. I love the ocean, too, but wasn’t introduced to it until my late teens so my first swallow of salt water has stayed with me. 🙂
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? I think the mascara wand shimmy is probably the winner. It helps to deposit most of the mascara at the base where I need it for volume and helps avoid clumps.
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? The boys laughing, the Hubs acting like a dodo and seeing my friends, even if it’s just for a minute in passing.
5. Regular or decaf? Regular.
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? But, of course! We used to play in a summer league and were in it to win it. 🙂 The Hubs is 6’4″ and we used to have to yell at him because he felt bad spiking it down people’s throats. One of my friends would remind him loudly to have no mercy. HAHA! Nice group, right?
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? Oh, this is actually tough. I think it really depends on what I’m doing. Probably 8 – 9 AM.
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? LORAC Front of the Line Pro.
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? We had a classic Winnie the Pooh book (I actually still have it) that my mother used to read to us when we were in grade school and we would laugh so hard at certain parts.
10. Weekly goals: Eat less and exercise more. 🙂

. Mood: happy!
2. Do you prefer oceans, lakes or rivers? lakes then oceans!
3. Whatâ€™s one makeup tip that has been of great help to you? use a big makeup brush to wipe away eyeshadow fallout
4. What are three things guaranteed to make you smile? my husband, my cats, my clients
5. Regular or decaf? regular, decaf is not even worth it
6. Have you ever played beach volleyball? yeah its fun and harder then regular vball
7. When do you usually have the most energy during the day? at night!
8. Whatâ€™s one makeup or beauty product youâ€™ve really wanted to try but havenâ€™t quite gotten around to yet? benefits new foundation hello flawless and almays q tips with makeup remover inside
9. Whatâ€™s a book you loved as a child? the giving tree by shel silverstein
10. Weekly goals: relax workout clean

1. Relaxed and hopeful.
2. Oceans, but I’m starting to like lakes a lot too.
3. Tightlining my upper lid! I have really deep-set eyes, which have always annoyed me, and I thought I was doomed for a lifetime of either cakey concealer or zombie eyes. But tightlining totally makes my eyes pop! Hooray!
4. My husband, my kids, my dog, and The Big Bang Theory.
5. Depends on how I’m feeling. But never without milk & sugar.
6. No. I love the beach, and I’m a sporty girl, love running, biking, swimming, hiking, etc. But my hand-eye coordination sucks. Balls and I are not friends.
7. Morning, definitely.
8. Always wanted to try Clarisonic, but I just got one for my birthday, so there’s nothing else on the must-try list currently. Sure there will be eventually, though.
9. MY copy of Harriet the Spy not only had a totally broken spine, it was puffed up and wrinkled from when I dropped it while reading in the bathtub!!
10. Weekly goals: Cut back on incidental spending.